Grade: 2nd

Month: April


Main Concept

Citizenship & Civic Life:
Symbols of Citizenship

Guiding Questions

  • What do the colors, stars, and stripes on the American flag represent?
  • How do we show respect for our flag?
  • How do we show pride for our country?
  • What are other national symbols?
  • How do selected customs, symbols, and celebrations reflect an American love of individualism, inventiveness, and freedom?
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Theme/Content Skills

  • Citizenship includes an understanding of the significance of the flag of the United States of America, including an understanding about its display and use.
  • People living in urban, rural, and suburban communities celebrate various holidays.

Key Terms

flag, holiday, patriotism, patriotic symbol, anthem, peace, Betsy Ross, Uncle Sam, Francis Scott Key, Mount Rushmore

Holidays

Earth Day, Easter, Passover
Discuss the following holidays: Flag Day, Independence Day, President's Day

Student Outcomes

  • Students will identify patriotic symbols (US and state flags, Uncle Sam, state and national birds and flowers)
  • Students will learn and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Students will learn and sing the national anthem
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Assessment/Project

-Create a Class Patriotism Book, including categories of symbols, actions and celebrations.
-Create and/or draw your own Mount Rushmore? What would be on it? Why?
-Patriotic Parade: March to patriotic music while holding patriotic symbols
-Create a new patriotic holiday
-Create a "My State Booklet" -include state flower, flag, song, bird, etc.

Resources for Students

Harcourt Brace Acticity Book p.21
Harcourt "Hands on Reading Activities" Book with The Bag Ladies- p.8: Stars and Stripes Quarterly

Resources for Teachers


Books: I Pledge Allegiance by June Swanson
The Flag We Love by Pam Munoz Ryan

Field Trip Suggestions

-Statue of Liberty
-Governors Island
-Grant's Tomb